HUMANURE COMPOST TOILET SYSTEM CONDENSED INSTRUCTION MANUAL What is “humanure”?

Humanure (human manure) is human fecal material and urine. It is a major source of environmental pollution around the world. It is also a source of disease organisms. When discarded into the environment as a waste material, it creates pollution and threatens public health. When recycled, the pollution and health threats can be eliminated. Humanure also contains valuable soil nutrients that can enhance plant growth. For these reasons, humanure should be recycled whenever possible. How can humanure be recycled? Humanure can be recycled in two basic ways. First, it can be applied raw to agricultural land. In this case, humanure may be called “night soil.” Unfortunately, raw applications of human excrement to soil can still create pollution and spread disease, so this method of recycling is strongly discouraged. The second method of recycling humanure is through a process called “composting.” This is the process used by the humanure compost toilet system described in this manual. What is composting? Composting is the feeding of organic material such as humanure to small organisms such as bacteria. Many compost organisms are too small to be seen, however, many of them can be seen. The larger ones include earthworms and many other tiny insects. Fungi also live in compost piles and they digest the tougher, woody plant materials. What are organic materials? Organic materials are those materials that came from recently living things such as plants and animals. Common organic materials include animal manures, including humanure, sawdust, food scraps, weeds, leaves, grasses, wool, hay, straw, agricultural byproducts such as wheat chaff or residues from beer-making or food production. A compostable organic material that is not from a recently living thing would be, for example, peat moss. How does one feed these materials to compost organisms? Organic materials are fed to compost organisms by creating a compost pile. A compost pile allows us to combine various organic materials above ground where air can reach the pile and provide oxygen to the aerobic microorganisms inside it. It also allows us to keep the organic materials quarantined inside an enclosed area away from people, dogs, goats, chickens and other creatures that should not be disturbing the compost pile. Compost microorganisms will digest and convert humanure into a safe and pleasant soil-like material when the humanure is combined with other organic materials, especially ones that include materials such as grass, leaves, sawdust, hay, straw, and other animal manures. Compost organisms do not like raw humanure because it is too wet and too high in nitrogen. When combined with drier materials that are higher in carbon, such as the materials listed above, the compost organisms love to eat humanure. Humanure Toilets A humanure toilet is a collection device and not a waste disposal device. The purpose of a humanure toilet is to collect human fecal material and urine so that the toilet material can be composted. Also collected in the toilet are all toilet paper as well as paper tubes from the center of the toilet paper rolls (if any). All urine is collected in the humanure toilet and not diverted for collection elsewhere. Also collected in a humanure toilet are vomit (when sick), and baby diaper fecal material (scraped off the cloth diaper into the humanure toilet). Collect food scraps in a separate compost container and deposit them directly into the same outdoor compost bin. If you collect food scraps in the humanure toilet, you risk a fruit fly infestation. The humanure toilet should be constructed to look like a normal toilet with a toilet seat. It should be located in a private, comfortable setting, indoors during cold weather or year-round. The collection container should have a

covered with a lid. How can a humanure toilet not create bad odors? When any foul smelling material is deposited into a humanure toilet. nor should they be used for making compost. it is also removed. inexpensive humanure toilet receptacle on an individual human scale. They should be spread over a garden area or saved in an outdoor pile or in a fire-proof container for later garden use. It is important to have the toilet ready and available for use at all times. the humanure toilet should be equipped with a minimum of four toilet receptacles.. What can you use for a toilet receptacle? A plastic receptacle with a handle. No manual mixing. you do not want all of your toilet receptacles to be full when someone has to use the toilet. The third receptacle is then set into the toilet. a clean layer of cover material should be kept over the toilet contents at all times. For an average family of four. the clean organic materials used in the toilet are called “cover materials. including cover material. The simple rule to follow is this: if the toilet contents have an odor. The job of humanure composting should be conducted by a single family member who is trained in the use of humanure toilets.” The cover materials used in the toilet should have a somewhat dry and fine consistency. empty receptacle is then set inside the toilet to replace the one that has been removed.
. he or she would produce one full toilet receptacle once a week. When one receptacle is filled. all of which have lids and all of which are exactly the same size and shape. stirring or digging of the humanure is required.minimum 20 liter capacity. For example. it is removed from the toilet. even shredded junk mail. under normal circumstances. Compost organisms do not digest such materials. A clean. This is how humanure is mixed with the other organic materials that allow it to be composted — by covering it. others utilize coco coir. Clean wood ashes (wood ashes without plastic or other garbage burned in the fire) are good for the soil. When the toilet user also composts the toilet material. an equal container of organic cover material will be necessary. rotted leaves. It is easier to carry two receptacles at a time when toilet containers with handles are being used. Sawdust from trees (rather than dry boards) is ideal. Also. Proper cover materials are absolutely essential to the successful operation of a humanure toilet. Some areas utilize rice hulls. when four receptacles are being used. although other family members can also assume this responsibility if they have also undergone proper training. etc. absorb moisture and prepare the material for composting. but other materials can be used depending on what is locally available. How much humanure can be collected in a 20 liter container? A 20 liter container will collect about one week’s worth of human fecal material and urine. Presumably. For every 20 liter container of toilet material produced. but not added to a compost pile. peat moss. If a single adult were using a humanure toilet with a proper cover material. four toilet receptacles would be filled per week. and set aside. Therefore. Human excrement is mostly liquid. covered and set aside. it is covered with a clean organic material in order to prevent odor. The liquid will fill in the spaces between the cover material as the toilet container fills up. preferably in a non-freezing location (it’s impossible to empty frozen containers). the humanure toilet will create no unpleasant odors. When the second receptacle is filled. How is the humanure composted? The collected toilet material is taken to a compost bin and added to the bin’s contents. a lid and approximately a 20 liter capacity makes for a simple. Now the first two receptacles can be removed for composting. produced by one adult. add more cover material until there is no odor. When using a humanure toilet. Is one toilet receptacle enough? Not really. only covering. they can all be emptied at the same time when the fourth one becomes full. any easily carried waterproof container with a lid can be used as a humanure receptacle. When properly used. Can wood ashes be used as a cover material? Wood ashes or coal ashes should not be used as a cover material in humanure toilets. For best results. it should take about 20 minutes to empty and clean four toilet containers.

however. hay. Once the humanure begins to compost. the indented bottom of the compost bin is filled with organic materials in order to create a thick layer between the humanure and the soil. only in a larger compost bin. nor can it be accessed by children or animals. Compost piles do not radiate heat and cannot effectively be used as a heat source. The amount of biological activity in the compost pile can be determined by monitoring the temperature of the compost using a compost thermometer. the toilet containers will smell bad. woody materials. The heat. which is why we add all urine to a compost pile. Why would it take 2-6 weeks before the compost begins to work? The compost pile requires sufficient mass before it will start to heat up. depending on how soon sufficient mass accumulates. The cover materials should be used in such a manner as to keep a cushion of cover material around the outside edge of the bin in order to prevent toilet materials from leaking from the sides of the bin. That’s why composting will not occur in the 20-liter toilet receptacle. This allows soil organisms to enter the compost from underneath. Why won’t the humanure come into contact with the soil when it is put into the compost bin? A humanure compost bin should be built on a soil base. Graywater and rain water are both suitable for this purpose. which helps the compost organisms have access to the oxygen they thrive on. which should be about 50 cm long.Won’t the toilet containers smell bad after they are emptied? Yes. There are three basic rules of human sanitation: 1) humanure should not come into contact with water. Toxic liquids such as paints. but should never include tree branches or other thick. some dirt should be removed from the bottom of the bin in order to shape the floor of the bin like a very shallow bowl. weeds. They should be cleaned by using a long handled toilet brush and water. solvents and petroleum products should never be allowed to contaminate graywater or compost. straw. What is the compost pile like? Humanure can constitute a threat to public health because it can contain disease organisms. A tool should be kept
. which is indicated by internal heating of the compost pile and may begin in 48 hours or take 2 to 6 weeks. all of which are good for the compost pile. Will the compost bin smell bad? When any toilet material is deposited into the compost bin. The toilet materials should be deposited into the center of the bin into a depression dug there for that purpose. and it should be approximately one half meter deep or more. If it is too dry. Before a humanure compost pile is started in the bin. This layer will absorb liquids draining from the initial humanure deposits. the compost-maker should wash her or his hands. a little bit of soap is good to use when cleaning the compost container. leaves. the microorganisms cannot thrive and the organic material will not compost. 2) humanure should not come into contact with soil. Humanure is composted in a “compost bin. and can even be wet. then covered over with the cover material. Such organisms can include earthworms and many other small creatures and insects. leaves.” The purpose of the bin is to isolate and quarantine the humanure so that it does not come into contact with soil or water. The cover materials used in the compost bin can be rough and course and can include such things as weeds. When building a new bin. The soap in the graywater will not hurt the compost. animal manures. Compost organisms generate heat during the composting process. In fact. After emptying and cleaning toilet containers. only biodegradable soaps should be used. Furthermore. straw. The compost should always have the moisture consistency of a wrung-out sponge. grasses. and 3) you should always wash your hands after using any toilet or after adding toilet materials to a compost bin. All water used to clean the compost receptacles should be deposited into the compost pile and never anywhere else. It takes about 2 liters of water to clean one 20 liter toilet container. even scrap woolen or cotton materials. or a blend of such ingredients. hay. is internal. Some compost piles will be so hot you cannot put your hand inside the pile. Also. the bin elevates the humanure into a vertical pile. Graywater can be used to keep the compost pile damp. the compost pile will then begin to absorb moisture and will even require watering in dry climates. including wood chips. etc. it must be kept isolated from access to the public until it completes the composting process. it must again be covered by a cover material to prevent odor. This is called a “biological sponge. That is why they must be cleaned every time they are emptied. Therefore.” It can be made of grass..

A bale or two of straw or hay. weeds. egg shells. bones. can be used for this purpose. it will lose its heat. Care should be taken to keep a cushion of cover material around the edges of the bin in the winter months.. Furthermore. So can cotton sanitary napkins (although you will have to pick out pieces of plastic from the compost when it is finished). These can include meats. tea bags. If you have large amounts of animal manures. anytime a compost bin fills up and has no more capacity for additional organic material. it can absorb a lot of moisture. What about freezing? If the compost pile gets too cold. sheep manure.
. When the compost pile is frozen. it may be advisable to cover the compost during heavy rains. Compost prefers fresh. so fresh leaves. per family of four. Of course. Small animal mortalities such as dead chickens. stop working and go dormant. In addition. vegetable peels. always dig a depression in the top center of the pile. will prevent leaching. there will be an adequate population of compost organisms already in the pile that will enable the pile to start working again after it thaws out in the spring. What about rain water? If humanure is not to come into contact with water. even in the winter months. a container of sawdust should be kept indoors and unfrozen at all times. and cover over with the compost and the cover materials. the cover materials used in the toilet itself should be kept from freezing. and anything else that is organic and produced by the household during food production and consumption. should we keep out the rain? Rain water is good for compost because it helps keep the compost moist. Also. the compost may need to be watered. it will freeze solid. are also excellent for adding to a compost pile. such as chicken manure. liquids such as spoiled milk or stale beer. If the compost is subjected to excessive rain. What else should be put into the compost pile besides toilet materials? All food scraps should also go into the compost bin. such as from a herd of animals. per month. bones and meat scraps can also go to a dog and food scraps to a pig. Once the compost starts working. material added to a frozen pile should be spread out to keep it somewhat flat in order to prevent a frozen mountain from developing in the center of the pile. cover materials will also freeze. When should a compost pile be started? The best time to start a compost pile is in the mid-summer when the days are the longest. ducks or other creatures can be recycled through a compost pile as well. horse manure. green vegetable matter over dried vegetable matter. However. cover it until there is no odor. in very cold months. In areas where rain is excessive such as monsoon areas. for example. so quantities of cover material used in frozen conditions can be minimal. The top center of the compost pile is the most active part of the compost. It should be noted that the compost will not emit unpleasant odors when frozen. You may also need to keep more cover material on top of the pile in cold weather to help insulate it. grasses and sawdust are ideal for a compost pile. It may be necessary to keep a cover on top of the compost pile to prevent dogs and other animals from climbing on top of the pile and disturbing the compost. for example. Later in the year. It is best to keep cover materials dry in the winter months so they don’t freeze. drop the materials into the depression. Graywater.at the compost bin for use in making the compost and the tool (such as a shovel or hay fork) should not be used for any other purpose anywhere else. much of the animal manure can be composted separately so your household humanure compost bin does not fill too quickly. hair. At this time. In very cold climates. there is ample vegetation for creating a biological sponge and for fresh outdoor cover material. it can leach liquids from the bottom of the pile. if possible. This is unlikely to occur under normal circumstances. When adding foods or materials to a compost pile that may attract scavenger animals such as dogs. The same rule for cover material usage at the toilet is used at the compost bin: if it smells bad. such as a large plastic bag or tarp. fats. etc. in severe rain conditions a simple water-proof cover over the compost. but these materials can also go into the compost pile. In dry climates. goat manure. will provide sufficient cover material for use on the compost pile during the winter. This is where fresh material should be added. On the other hand. if the pile goes dormant and even freezes. Other animal manures. The compost will start working more quickly during this time of year. a new bin can be started. If sawdust is used as a cover material in the toilet. in addition to allowing rain to wet the compost. it can still be added to.

the final decomposition of the organic materials in the compost bin is taking place. moist garden soil. It can be used to grow garden plants. including humanure. nothing whatsoever should be added to the compost bin. In cold weather months when the compost is dormant or frozen. garden and yard materials. ironically. Digging and turning the pile will disturb the compost organisms that have established their own layered populations. when a humanure compost program is established in a community area. dark. Ideally. vines. When is the compost ready to be used? After the compost bin has been completely filled. cover materials. Any human disease organisms that may have been in the original organic materials should have been eliminated. it will undergo no shrinkage and will fill more quickly. It also helps to have experience. should look and smell like rich. Once the humanure compost toilet system is in use and the first batch of compost has been completed (which will require approximately a two year period). then use the compost. the program should be monitored by the local health department and the local agricultural department. The compost environment is an alien environment for human disease organisms and such “pathogens” are killed during the composting process. If the compost pile has undergone thermophilic (hot) composting. a new bin must be put into use. A bin of this size can hold the entire amount of organic materials collected by a family of four. During the retention time. undisturbed. It can also be buried in holes where trees and shrubs are to be planted. Composting is like an art. all compost produced on a family plot should be used only on that plot. it is not necessary to turn compost piles.” read the Humanure Handbook. To learn more about “compost myths. trees. by compost educators. it must be covered with clean cover materials and left to rest. This is the aging or curing stage of the compost and it is a very important stage. or greatly diminished by the time the compost has been finished. or more. a single compost bin will fill more quickly. but it should be sanitary. It can be dug into the soil for better root access for the plants.5 meters square by about 1. food scraps. That means the compost should be teeming with microscopic life consisting of beneficial microorganisms that do not pose a threat to human health. Finished compost can be tested for both the existence of pathogens as well as for agricultural quality. shrubs and flowers. When composting for groups larger than the average family of four. As a matter of control and in the interests of public health. over a year. There is much misinformation being circulated about backyard composting. The retention time allows for an additional safety period for the destruction of any lingering human pathogens. The amount of time the compost is allowed to age. the average household of four people will produce approximately one cubic meter of compost annually. patiently allow it to age. How do we know the compost is safe to use? Finished compost will never be sterile. for trees and bushes. often. it will again start to shrink.
. after the retention time is complete. If a humanure composter has doubts about the safety of his or her finished compost. intelligence and a sense of responsibility. Is this true that a compost pile should be turned periodically with a shovel? No. it can be used on top of the soil as a mulch.” During this time. undisturbed for approximately one year. The practice of composting can be improved through experience and observation. is called the “retention time. Sufficient oxygen will be entrapped in the pile as you add compost materials. However. weakened.5 meters high.How long does it take to fill a bin? A standard humanure compost bin for a family of four is about 1. The compost organisms are converting the organic materials into a dense humus — a process that involves constant shrinking of the organic materials that are added to the pile. once it starts working again in the spring. the compost can be used for ornamental plants and flowers. Just build the pile. This is often dominated by fungal organisms as well as larger organisms such as earthworms. How should the finished compost be used? The finished compost. Composting requires patience. The compost will continue to shrink during the retention time. It is a mistake to try to hurry the composting process. The reason a small bin of this size can hold so much material is because the compost shrinks while it is working. Let the compost organisms do the work for you. or for food crops where the compost will not come into contact with the food and where the handling of the compost will be minimized. When this bin is full.

Therefore. four receptacles should be used with the toilet and more if the population served by the toilet is greater than four people. These two design elements are important because of human anatomy. So begin the toilet construction by first acquiring a minimum of four toilet receptacles. and the finished compost should provide a wealth of soil fertility for the composting family. The humanure toilet is a collection device. the cover material and the compost bin(s). The additional retention time contributes to the overall safety of the finished compost when the compost quality is in question (such as when the humanure has been collected from a population that suffers from confirmed diseases). for example. If the toilet seat ring is situated too far back from the front of the toilet
. Secondly. On the contrary. The toilet collection receptacle should be a minimum 20 liters in capacity because this size container can be easily moved by one person when full. the height of the toilet box is critical and the box has to be built to fit the height of the particular container that you have acquired. or it can be permanently built into a toilet cabinet for stability and aesthetics. especially by young boys while defecating. that are exactly the same size and shape. If the toilet is built to fit one particular receptacle. Those three parts include the toilet. then urine can be ejected above the toilet receptacle. As stated earlier. it must be collected before it comes into contact with the natural environment. allow it to age another year. It is therefore collected in a waterproof container for the purpose of depositing it into a contained composting environment. the front edge of the toilet seat ring should line up with the front edge of the toilet box. Some compost toilet systems locate the toilet directly above a compost pile to eliminate the need for a portable toilet receptacle. such a system is not the subject of this manual. with lids. which is why it is important to have the receptacles on hand when the toilet is built. Allowing additional retention time requires no energy and only a small amount of space. However. If the toilet receptacle does not come nearly into contact with the underside of the toilet ring. when moved by a small. The additional year of retention time will allow it to complete the miraculous transformation from toxic waste to beneficial compost. the environment should be protected. elderly person). The toilet box or cabinet is built to fit the toilet receptacle. If a container of this size is too heavy for one person when full (for example. The toilet receptacle can be enclosed in a moveable box-like structure. Therefore. In order to prevent environmental pollution caused by humanure and in order to compost humanure. There are a few simple rules to follow when building a toilet box or cabinet. this is difficult to do indoors without a long-term odor problem and it is considerably more complicated and expensive than the humanure toilet discussed in these instructions. Therefore. The most convenient form of box or cabinet is one with a hinged lid that allows for easy removal of the compost receptacle.Another alternative is to simply allow an additional year of retention time for the compost. A box creates a moveable toilet and a cabinet is permanently built into a wall. All three are necessary for the humanure compost toilet system to work properly. A healthy household that composts its own humanure does not need to be overly concerned about the safety of the finished compost if the instructions in this manual are carefully followed. For an average family of four people. there should be a toilet receptacle available for use. by composting humanure rather than disposing of it into the environment. that does not mean it will fit a different receptacle. First. long-term public health and safety conditions should be improved. No composting occurs in the toilet itself. Twenty liter (5 gallon) receptacles come in all sizes and shapes. this means four receptacles. then the receptacle can be carried and emptied before it is full. for every person who regularly uses the toilet. build the box or cabinet. if the compost does not seem “finished” after a year of collection and a year of retention. If a replacement receptacle is two centimeters higher than the original receptacle. the top of the toilet receptacle should nearly come in contact with the bottom of the toilet seat ring. Or. then the toilet seat will not go down flat. Next. Building a Humanure Toilet The humanure toilet is only one part of a three part compost toilet system.

such as manufacturing operations where organic materials are used (wool. but it would also help to eliminate waste in the local manufacturing community. This survey would include all local business.5 meters high with an open top and one side removable. prototype toilet systems can be monitored that apply different amounts of graywater to the compost piles. a survey of available compostable cover materials should be conducted before the compost toilet system is adopted on a large scale. it needs more cover material.com.box. or otherwise sealed for long-term performance and for easy cleaning. pilot projects should be set up with prototype toilets that use different local cover materials or combinations of cover materials and the results scientifically monitored to determine which materials make the best compost. however. This wood should be painted. or scavenging materials from the local environment such as leaves. the simple rule when using cover materials is if the material that is covered smells bad. Cover until there is no unpleasant odor (providing the cover material itself does not have unpleasant odor). grasses and weeds. Alternatively. wood. such as a sludge. bales of hay or straw. It is likely that significant quantities of compostable materials are going to waste or are being landfilled that could instead be diverted into a compost recycling stream. may require the cooperation and participation of the local government and/or local businesses. cover materials should not be too wet. Animal manures. or even masonry materials. in drier climates where the compost may need to be watered. These materials must be located. thereby causing it to deteriorate prematurely. This approach would not only provide cover materials that would enable the use of safe and constructive biological toilets. etc. as are video clips of humanure composting and humanure toilet construction. and they should have a basic carbon content such as cellulose materials from plant sources. toilet material from villages or other groups can be transported to a centralized compost facility where cover materials are stockpiled. How To Build a Compost Bin The simplest compost bin would be a single bin of a maximum 1. the top board should be a single piece of wood. An individual family can usually find such cover materials by locating local sawmills or sawdust piles. and transported to the village areas where humanure compost toilets are to be utilized. The open side covering can be raised as the level of the compost rises. logging and lumber operations. new or salvaged. and again data can be collected to help determine the amount of wetting that may or may not be required. etc. and agricultural operations. varnished. A simple wire mesh cover will prevent the compost from being disturbed by animals and it is easily removable when adding compost to the pile. Other materials from animal sources may also be suitable for composting. in order to hold the compost into the bin. of various sizes depending on availability and personal preference. In any case. A community-wide humanure compost toilet program. If the top of the compost is accessible to chickens. purchasing peat moss. if somewhat dry (as collected with animal bedding) can make excellent composting materials and can perhaps be suitable cover materials if odor is not a problem. When large quantities of cover materials are needed for large numbers of village composters. Again. In areas of the world where composting has been underutilized or non-existent.
. For a good. The compost bin itself can be built from scrap wood boards. Acquiring the Cover Materials Without proper cover materials in adequate quantities. food. Furthermore.5 meters square and 1 to 1. dogs. the humanure compost toilet will not work properly. wire mesh. paper. hay or straw.. long-term toilet.). such as a piece of exterior plywood. Examples of owner-built humanure compost toilets are also shown. The side pieces can be wood. solid. it should also be covered. assessed for composting suitability. Illustrated instructions on how to build a humanure compost toilet box are available on the internet at humanurehandbook. then urine can be inadvertently deposited on top of the front of the box. other recycled materials. This can be achieved by using removable boards or even bales of hay or straw to close the open side. The open side should be closed off to animal access. The length of the legs is what determines the height of the box.

When valuable materials are recycled. These could include toilet making businesses. Compost Toilet Collection for Centralized Composting An alternative to individual “backyard” humanure composting is centralized composting at a compost facility operated by either a government agency or by a private enterprise. When this happens. environmentally friendly. or by local private enterprise.
. One bin is filled for a one year period. humanure compost toilet systems can provide an opportunity for the creation of new. Do not use lumber that is treated with chemicals for the compost bins. the humanure toilet receptacles are regularly collected from homes and even apartments and taken to a central composting facility. This scenario would appeal to those people who want to use an indoor. however. In such as scenario. In return for the collected toilet material. and attending a toilet building workshop. the local agricultural department and even local universities to provide assistance. compost bin construction and erection businesses. Opportunity for Cottage Industries When valuable materials are discarded as waste. This training program should include being required to read and understand a manual such as this one. will be contained. the first bin is empty again and the cycle starts all over. and compost-making businesses. The first bin is gradually emptied as the second bin nears filling. The finished compost can enhance local agricultural production. A rain water collection system.). with the water being conveniently used for cleaning compost toilet receptacles. and to conduct analyses of the finished compost to determine its agricultural value. Therefore. The bins should be constructed on a slightly concave soil base so leachate. Toxic chemicals do not suit that objective. if any. or no place for a compost bin. The soil base also acts as a conduit for soil organisms to enter the compost. Another bin is filled for one year as the first bin ages. This bin should be covered in order to keep the cover material dry in the winter months so the material won’t freeze. or visit humanurehandbook. etc. they create a drain on the revenues of society. Compost Monitoring by Government Agencies When humanure compost toilet systems are employed on a large scale in villages.com. must be drained during freezing weather. which contains valuable soil nutrients. they allow us to reclaim wealth.com. For more information: The Humanure Handbook. The third bin. it may be advisable for the local health department. the lumber will eventually rot. but have no use for the compost. The recycling of humanure on a large scale can create small businesses. The finished compost can also be a valuable saleable commodity. By the time the second bin is full. Therefore. being required to watch an instructional video showing a successful existing humanure compost system in operation. by Joseph Jenkins. small businesses. which would be the center bin.A humanure compost toilet system can be used in the same location for generations. or a compost usage workshop. biological toilet. Examples of compost bins are shown at humanurehandbook. A roof over the center bin can also be used for rain water collection. it is important that the individuals undertake a training program prior to starting their composting systems. This can be done by monitoring the compost-making process to determine best practices (which cover materials work best. Compost Toilet Training Programs When humanure toilet compost systems are being employed by individuals on a large scale in a village setting. is used to store cover materials. the most serious composters will construct a permanent bin. the home resident is provided with cover materials for use in their toilet and with clean toilet receptacles. A minimum three bin system is recommended. These training programs could be conducted by local NGOs. then it is left to age. The object of the bins is to provide a suitable home for compost microorganisms. local government agencies. how much gray water is required to water the compost. the lumber should simply be replaced. a compost bin building workshop. When scrap lumber is used for the sides of the compost bins. if any. to analyze finished compost samples for the existence of pathogens.